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The Medical Minute: Osteoporosis

May 26, 2010

The Medical Minute: Osteoporosis

By Edward J. Fox

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become thin. As a result, the bones are more likely to break. Bones most often affected are in the hip, spine and wrist, but the ribs and other bones also are at risk.

Nearly 25 million Americans have osteoporosis and most of them are women above the age of 60. Men are also vulnerable to the disease. In the early stages of osteoporosis there are no signs or symptoms, which is why it has the nickname “the silent disease.” The loss of bone progresses gradually until a bone breaks. Other signs are a loss of height and bad posture.

Common Osteoporosis Risk Factors:

Older than 65 years of age

Broke a bone after age 50

Close relative has osteoporosis or has broken a bone

Health is fair or poor

Smokes

Underweight for height

Started menopause before age 45

Lack of calcium intake

Has two or more drinks of alcohol several times per week

Has poor vision even with glasses

Sometimes falls

Not physically active

Patients who have one of the following medical conditions may be prone to osteoporosis:

Hyperthyroidism

Chronic lung disease

Cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic hepatitis or renal disease

Hyperparathyroidism

Vitamin D deficiency

Cushing’s Disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Patients who take the following medicines may be prone to osteoporosis:

Oral glucocortoids (steroids)

Cancer treatment (radiation, chemotherapy)

Thyroid medicine

Antiepileptic medications

Gonadal hormone suppression

Immunosuppressive agents

A physician may suggest a bone density scan for patients in a high-risk group to determine if some form of treatment to prevent or treat osteoporosis is needed. This is especially true for women around menopause when estrogen levels fall. There are several techniques for measuring bone density, and they are safe and painless.